How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading price tags and descriptions of the product, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather couch. You must get up close and personal to take a whiff, feel and flip over a cushion to check the back.

For instance, one leather-upholstered couch CHOICE test had 'contact' areas (such as arm rests) upholstered in genuine leather but the non-contact areas were made up of coated polyester and cotton.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa will smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch is smelling bad smell, it may be due to stains or pet urine. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you are not satisfied with the results of your cleaning, you can apply a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather and make it more supple, less fragile, and more resistant against smells.

You can also use a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to collect dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it out or replace it with a new one. You can also put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it off again.

Airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate smells. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sunny spot to let it air out. This will help eliminate unwanted odors, and provide it with an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors then you should consider buying a leather corner sofa sale conditioner that is made up of healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in odors and keep it smelling good for longer.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to keep clean. Over time, leather can absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors are hard to eliminate, particularly when your home is occupied by children or pets. Leather couches don't hold in these odors the way fabrics can. This makes them a great choice for families with active children.

It's important to take action immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy poop. You can use the tips mentioned above or a product like Leather Honey to resolve the problem. The best solution is to prevent the problem therefore, make sure to train your dog to never pee on your couch.

2. Contact us with any questions.

There are some clues to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, however the most reliable way to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Real leather has an unmistakable unique, natural scent. The scent can fade as time passes, but it should be evident when the sofa is new.

A genuine leather sofa should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Leathers that are faux or bonded however tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this, gently press your fingertips on the surface of the couch and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it's likely bonded or faux-leather.

If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of sofas, this is another dead giveaway. This indicates that the leather is not one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.

The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a significant effect on its longevity but this isn't always evident. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose an item that has a long lifespan. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames will be less sturdy. To increase durability, hardwood frames must be kiln dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you're shopping on a budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather corner sofa - More Signup bonuses, sofas you can still be captivated by. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually on sale and can easily be adapted to your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is a classic style and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are incredibly robust and withstand wear and tear much better than fabric, making them last for years to come. They also tend to resist staining and spills, and are less likely to attract allergens and dust and therefore don't require the same amount of regular maintenance and cleaning. However, as with anything else in life, there are issues to be aware of when purchasing a leather couch - and it is important to be aware of what to look for prior to making your final decision.

If you're unsure if your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you need to look over the material tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of leather or fabric it's made of. If you are unable to find any information regarding the sofa's material composition or the type of leather it is, you can use your senses to make a decision.

A good way to tell is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and examine the texture, shading and patterns in depth. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and will not be perfectly uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is smooth and uniform, or if a mesh-like backing appears instead of the coarse leather, it's a sure giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.

Another good test is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If there is a stitched vertical seam on the back of the cushion, it's an indication that it's not authentic leather. This is due to the fact that hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. Top-rated manufacturers always stitch and sew the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded or faux leather.

If you are able to, lift up a corner and inspect the padding on the back. If the back of the cushion is coated with a woven fabric or covered in polyurethane this is another indication that the couch is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when touched.

4. Patterns

A genuine leather sofa is a classic, and for good reason. The soft, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. Modern tanning techniques give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sagging. Since each hide comes with distinctive markings and grain, as well as blemishes, every leather couch is unique.

The best way to know whether the leather you're buying is authentic is to look at it up close. Check the texture, structure and pattern to get a more detailed look at its authenticity. If the structure appears to be uniform and there are no noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bond leather.

A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural look and will be backed with materials that closely resemble the fabric used in making the furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch for one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears to be a continuous piece of cloth, then it's likely to be a faux or bonded-leather sofa.

Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's now time to match it with other furniture in your living room. Combine your sofa with wooden furniture, and then add pillows that complement the colors of your room. Or, you can opt for a fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch across from other pieces with an occasional table.

Make sure to keep your leather sofa in a well-lit space to ensure that it doesn't fade or leave scuff marks due to direct sunlight. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protector once or twice a year.